Protecting Marriage the Old-Fashioned Way

The Texas House today passed a constitutional amendment banning both same-sex marriages and civil unions. The bill was approved by a 101 to 29 vote, barely exceeding the 100 votes necessary to amend the state constitution. The bill next goes to the state senate. If it garners a two-thirds vote there, the amendment will need to be approved by Texas voters.

Thompson, 66, an African-American who grew up with segregation, said the legislation reminded her of the time when interracial marriages were illegal.

"When people of my color used to marry someone of Mr. Chisum's color (white), you'd often find people of my color hanging from a tree. That's what white people back then did to protect marriage," Thompson said.